DE29800032U1 - Folding container - Google Patents

Description

P9735
23.12.97 SB/cb

Faitcontainer
DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a folding container, in particular for items of clothing, with a base plate, a ceiling plate, a first and a second side wall part, which are each connected to the base plate and ceiling plate, and optionally a front wall part and a rear wall part.

Although applicable to any folding container, the present invention and the problem underlying it are explained in relation to a folding container for clothing.

In general, there are a variety of different containers for clothing. A distinction is usually made between collapsible containers and non-collapsible containers. Collapsible containers can usually be dismantled into the top part, the base part and the side parts as individual parts.

The problem underlying the present invention is generally that, although space is saved when a container is dismantled in this way, the individual parts are difficult to transport because they are not connected to one another and are not coordinated in terms of size.

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There are folding containers for clothing in the form of folding boxes that can be folded into a flat shape. However, these folding boxes are unstable and do not offer good protection for the contents, especially not against moisture and mechanical damage. Such folding boxes also require a larger base area when stacked than a single folding box when unfolded. Furthermore, the hanging rods are available as loose parts when dismantling.

It is therefore the object of the present invention to create a folding container of the type mentioned at the outset, which can be folded up easily and in a space-saving manner and, in the folded state, can be easily transported and stored in a space-saving manner.

According to the invention, this object is achieved by the folding container specified in claim 1.

The folding container according to the invention has the advantage over the known solutions that it can essentially withstand coarse dirt from the outside, since its inner walls are essentially inaccessible from the outside when folded. Advantageously, a folding container of this design also offers good stability and can be stacked to save space when folded.

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Further advantages of the folding container according to the invention are its ease of use, in particular the elimination of loose operating parts, the large reduction in volume due to foldability and the high payload with excellent rigidity when the appropriate material is selected. The folding container according to the invention can be conveniently transported by hand using rollers, by forklift, by pallet truck, by conveyor belt, etc.

The idea underlying the present invention is that the first and second side wall parts are hinged to the base plate and ceiling plate in such a way that they can be folded inwards and can be folded inwards in such a way that they can be arranged essentially vertically to the base plate and ceiling plate when unfolded and essentially parallel to the base plate and ceiling plate when folded. In other words, the total height of the folding container according to the invention can be reduced by almost the entire height of the side wall part, i.e. to four times the thickness of the side wall part.

The subclaims contain advantageous further developments and improvements of the folding container specified in claim 1.

According to a preferred development, the first and second side wall parts are essentially halved in a flat manner when folded together. This has the advantages

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a maximum height reduction and inner wall protection of the side wall parts when folded.

According to a further preferred development, the first and second side wall parts are arranged in layers in the folded state in an area between the base plate and the ceiling plate. This allows an extremely compact arrangement to be achieved in the folded state.

According to a further preferred development, the first and second side wall parts each have a respective first folding hinge with a folding range of 180° essentially in their middle. _L

According to a further preferred development, the first and second side wall parts each have a respective second folding hinge with a folding range of 90° at their upper and lower ends.

According to a further preferred development, a third and preferably a fourth side wall part of different length is provided between the respective folding hinge at the lower end of the first and second side wall part and the base plate. This makes it easy to create a height compensation in the stacking area or layering area between the two sides.

According to a further preferred development, between the respective folding hinge at the upper end of the first and

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A fifth and preferably a sixth side wall part of different lengths is provided between the second side wall part and the ceiling panel. This makes it easy to create a height adjustment in the ceiling area between the two sides.

According to a further preferred development, the base plate is constructed in the form of a pallet. This makes the folding container easy to transport.

According to a further preferred development, a suspension rod can be attached between the fifth and sixth side wall parts, preferably to a respective suspension rail.

According to a further preferred development, a front wall part and/or a rear wall part can be accommodated between the fifth and sixth side wall parts. This allows the front wall part and/or rear wall part to be conveniently stowed in the folded state while connected to the ceiling wall part.

According to a further preferred development, the front wall part can be inserted above the suspension rod. 25

According to a further preferred development, the rear wall part can be folded in below the suspension rod.

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The latter two developments mean that the suspension rod does not have to be removed or modified for folding.
'5

According to a further preferred development, the height in the unfolded state is significantly greater than in the folded state.

According to a further preferred development, a majority of them are stackable in the folded state.

According to a further preferred development, a stack of a certain number of folded folding containers has the shape of a single unfolded folding container.

According to a further preferred development, the side, front and rear wall parts, floor and ceiling panels have a light metal structure, in particular an aluminum honeycomb core structure (e.g. ALUCORE®). Since the folding container according to the invention should be manufactured as lightly as possible, aluminum materials and semi-finished products are suitable, such as aluminum alloys used in aircraft construction and aluminum sandwich structures. This has the advantage of high mechanical stability with a relatively low weight.

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According to a further preferred development, a foldable shelf is attached to at least one side wall part via a hinge, which can be locked in the opposite side wall part when unfolded. In this way, shelves can be integrated into the folding container which do not hinder the foldability and do not form any loose parts.

According to a further preferred development, gas tension springs are provided between the side wall parts and the base plate and/or between the side wall parts and the ceiling plate. These form an installation aid and generate a pre-tension in the installed state so that the folding container does not simply collapse or collapse when, for example, the front part and the rear wall part are placed under the ceiling plate.

According to a further preferred development, respective gas tension springs are provided between the front wall part and the ceiling plate and/or between the rear wall part and the ceiling plate.

Embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description.

Show it:

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Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the unfolded state with the rear wall part installed and the front wall inserted;

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the unfolded state with the rear wall part and front wall part installed;

Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the unfolded state with the front wall part pushed in and folded in

tem rear wall part;

Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention when folding the two

side wall parts;

Fig: 5a a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state;

Fig. 5b a schematic cross-sectional view

a second embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state;

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Fig. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state; 5

Fig. 7 is a schematic front view of a stack of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state;
10

Fig. 8 an embodiment of a 90° folding hinge at the upper and lower end of the side wall parts; and

Fig. 9 an example of a 180° folding hinge in the middle of the side wall parts.

In the figures, identical reference symbols designate identical or functionally identical components.

Fig. 1 is a schematic front view of a first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the unfolded state with the rear wall part installed and the front wall part inserted.

In Figure 1, 1 generally designates a folding container, 10 a base plate, 11, 12 and 13 pallet stands of the base plate 10, 3 0 a first side wall part with a first folding hinge 35 and two second folding hinges 32 and

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38, 40 a second side wall part with a first folding hinge 45 and two second folding hinges 42 and 48, 50 a further side wall part, 20 a ceiling panel with a shelf 22 and two side wall parts 70, 80, as well as 88 a front wall part, 90 a rear wall part with a handle 95 and 85 a piece of clothing in the form of a coat hung in the folding container 1.

In the state shown with the front wall part 88 pushed in and the rear wall part 90 folded down, the folding container offers a stable shape without protruding parts and is therefore easy to load. In the example shown, the rear wall part 90 can be pivoted via a hinge connected to an intermediate plate 98 in the rear wall (see Fig. 6) and thus ensures the necessary stability in the folded down state. Of course, additional struts can also be provided to increase the rigidity. In Fig. 1, the front wall part 88 is pushed in between the side wall parts 70, 80 and held there.

Fig. 2 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the unfolded state with the rear wall part and front wall part installed. In Fig. 1, the front wall part 88 is folded down to the front and closed.

Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention

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when unfolded with the front wall part pushed in and the rear wall part folded in.

Fig. 4 is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention when folding the two side wall parts together.

To fold up the folding container 1, the two side wall parts 30, 40 are then folded inwards, as shown in Figure 4, so that in the folded state they lie essentially parallel to the base plate 10 and the ceiling plate 20.

To do this, the respective first folding hinges 35, 45 are folded by 180° and the respective second folding hinges 32, 38, 42, 48 are folded by 90° each.

Fig. 5a is a schematic front view of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state, and Fig. 5b is a schematic width cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state.

In the second embodiment shown in Figure 5b, 1' generally designates the folding container. In this folding container 1' according to the second embodiment, no pallet stands 11, 12, 13 are provided. Furthermore, a fourth side wall part 60 is additionally provided, which

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has a shorter length than the third side wall part 50, which means that the two folded side wall parts 30, 40 are arranged in layers in the area 100 as shown. In this second embodiment, this area 100 is not located directly on the base plate 10, but rather a certain distance away from it. This asymmetry can also be found in the side wall parts 70, 80, as can be clearly seen in Fig. 5b. 99 in Fig. 5b designates a suspension rod which can be attached to a respective suspension rail 75 between the fifth and sixth side wall parts 70, 80.

As can also be seen in Figures 5a and 5b, the height of the folding container is significantly lower when folded than when unfolded, but the base area remains the same. Furthermore, after folding, there are no loose parts that could fall out during transport.

0 Fig. 6 is a schematic longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state.

From Fig. 6, the intermediate plate 98 can be seen in particular, to which the rear wall part 90 is hinged in a foldable manner.

Fig. 7 is a schematic front view of a stack of the first embodiment of the folding container according to the invention in the folded state.

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In its folded state, the folding container according to the invention is easily stackable, as is clearly illustrated in Figure 6. In the present embodiment, a stack of four folding containers 1, 2, 3 and 4 has the same shape, i.e. the same dimensions, as a single unfolded folding container 1 (see Figure 1).

Fig. 8 is an example of a 90° folding hinge.

nier at the upper and lower ends of the side wall parts.

In Figure 8, 140 designates a first U-half and 142 a second U-half, which are connected to one another via a pivot axis 150 and abut one another in the abutment area 160. The two U-halves 140, 142 can be pivoted in the direction of the arrow S about the pivot axis 150 so that the abutment area 160 opens. The corresponding wall parts can be inserted into the respective U-halves 140, 142 and fastened there by means of screws, by clamping, gluing, etc.

Fig. 9 is an example of a 180° folding hinge in the middle of the side wall parts. 25

In Figure 9, 240 denotes a first U-half, 242 a second U-half, 250 a first pivot axis, 350 a second pivot axis, 260 an abutment area and 360 a second abutment area.

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The two U-halves 240, 242 can each be pivoted by 90° in the direction of arrow S, which opens the abutment areas 160 and 3 60. The corresponding wall parts can be inserted into the U-halves 240, 242 and attached to them in the manner described above.

Although the present invention has been described above using preferred embodiments, it is not limited thereto, but can be modified in many ways.

In particular, the folding container according to the invention can be used for any type of goods. It may be necessary to provide shelves. This is conveniently done in such a way that a foldable shelf is attached to a side wall part via a hinge, which can be locked in the opposite side wall part when unfolded. Since the shelf is attached on one side, it does not form a loose part and is therefore foldable.

Gas tension springs can be provided between the side wall parts and the base plate and/or between the side wall parts and the ceiling plate, which have a stabilizing effect during assembly and disassembly. Such gas tension springs can also be provided between the front wall part and the ceiling plate and/or between the rear wall part and the ceiling plate.

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The shape of the base plate is also essentially arbitrary; it can also have rollers, slide rails, etc. instead of the pallet stands shown. 5

Furthermore, it is possible that additional foldable side wall parts are provided in extension with the first and second side wall parts.

Finally, in principle, the front wall and rear wall can also be omitted if the container contents can be secured, for example, with straps or belts or in some other way.

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LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS:

S Panning direction 1, 1' 1. Folding container 2 2. Folding container 3 3. Folding container 4 4. Folding container 10 Base plate 20 Ceiling panel 30 first side wall part 11, 12, 13 Pallet stand 40 second side wall part 50 third side wall part 60 fourth side wall part 70 fifth side wall part 75 Suspension rail 35, 45 first folding hinge 80 sixth side wall part 85 clothing 88 Front wall part 90 Rear panel 95 Grab handle 98 Intermediate plate 99 Suspension rod 100 Stratification area 32, 38, 42, 48 second folding hinge 150, 250, 350 Swivel axes

140, 142, 240, 242 U-halves

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160, 260, 360 kick-off area

Claims (19)

P9735 16 CLAIMS FOR PROTECTION 1. Folding containers, especially for clothing,
with: a base plate (10); a ceiling plate (20);
10 a first and a second side wall part (30; 40),
which each*with the base plate (10) and ceiling plate
(20) are connected; and optionally a front wall part (88) and a rear wall part (90); characterized in that the first and second side wall parts (30; 40) are hinged to the base plate (10) and the ceiling plate (20) in such a way that they can be folded inwards and can be folded inwards in such a way that in the unfolded state they are essentially
can be arranged vertically and, when folded, essentially parallel to the base plate (10) and ceiling plate (20). P9735 17 2. Folding container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second side wall parts (30; 40) are halved in a substantially flat manner in the folded state. 3. Folding container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second side wall parts (30; 40) in the folded state are arranged in layers in an area (100) between the base plate (10) and the ceiling plate (20). 4. Folding container according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the first and second side wall parts (30; 40) each have a respective first folding hinge (35; 45) with a folding range of 180° substantially in their middle. 5. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and second side wall parts (30; 40) each have a respective second folding hinge (32, 38; 42, 48) with a folding range of 90° at their upper and lower ends. 6. Folding container according to claim 5, characterized in that a third and preferably a fourth side wall part (50, 60) of different lengths are provided between the respective second folding hinge (38; 48) at the lower end of the first and second side wall part (30; 40) and the base plate (10). P9735 18 7. Folding container according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that a fifth and preferably a sixth side wall part (70, 80) of different lengths are provided between the respective second folding hinge (32; 42) at the upper end of the first and second side wall part (30; 40) and the ceiling plate (20). 8. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the base plate (10) is constructed in the form of a pallet. 9. Folding container according to claim 7, characterized in that between the fifth and sixth side wall parts (70, 80) a suspension rod (99) can preferably be attached to a respective suspension rail (75). 10. Folding container according to claim 9, characterized in that between the fifth and sixth side wall parts (70, 80) a front wall part (88) and/or a rear wall part (90) can be accommodated. 11. Folding container according to claim 10, characterized in that the front wall part (88) can be inserted above the suspension rod (99). 12. Folding container according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the rear wall part (90) can be folded in below the suspension rod (99). ■·'■ s P9735 . 19 13. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the height of the folding container in the unfolded state is significantly greater than in the folded state. 14. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a plurality of them are stackable in the folded state. 15. Folding container according to claim 14, characterized in that a stack of a certain number of folded folding containers has the shape of a single unfolded folding container. 16. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side, front and rear wall parts, floor and ceiling panels have a light metal structure, in particular an aluminum honeycomb core structure. 17. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least on one side wall part (30; 40) a foldable shelf is attached via a hinge, which in the unfolded state can be locked in the opposite side wall part (40; 30). P9735 20 18. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that respective gas tension springs are provided between the side wall parts (30; 40) and the base plate (10) and/or between the side wall parts (30; 40) and the ceiling plate (20). 19. Folding container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that respective gas tension springs are provided between the front wall part (88) and the ceiling plate (20) and/or between the rear wall part (90) and the ceiling plate (20).